THIS JUST IN: Jefferson County

July 8
Beth Donlon and Thomas Donlon v. Frederick Ammerman, D.O. and The Charles Town General Hospital d/b/a Jefferson Memorial Hospital
PA-Suzanne Williams-McAuliffe; J-Steptoe
* Beth Donlon claims that a mammogram she received in 2004 was not accurately diagnosed as breast cancer. Throughout 2004 and 2005, Donlon's annual mammography was interpreted as "negative" for breast cancer by Dr. Frederick Ammerman. On July 5, 2006, Donlon was examined by her gynecologist and found to have a left breast mass and retracted nipple. A biopsy was performed on July 10 and revealed infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the left breast. Testing revealed 10 or 34 lymph nodes were affected by the cancer.
According to a letter from attorney Suzanne Williams-McAuliffe, liability is predicted upon the fact that Dr. Frederick Ammerman of Jefferson Memorial Hospital failed to timely detect the presence of breast cancer in the mammogram. Donlon contends that there was evidence of malignancy in the radiological films that predated her eventual biopsy and confirming diagnosis of breast cancer.
In the complaint, Donlon claims that the initial undetected diagnosis decreases her chance of recovery or otherwise subjecting her to an increase risk of death from the breast cancer. The Plaintiff is requesting judgment against the Defendants as well as economic losses incurred by the plaintiff in an amount to be determined by a jury.
Case number 08-C-277